Causes + Impacts of Rural-Urban Migration

Question 1

What is rural-urban migration?

Answer 1

• movement of ppl from countryside to towns + cities

Question 2

What are the eco. causes of rural-urban migration?

Answer 2

• R employment opps. heavily agri. dominant so are at risk of droughts/floods severely affecting agri. yields (relatively low earning)
• U areas have more employment opps + is more eco, stable (e.g. uni graduates, migrate to cities bc of job opps in specific industries, not present in R areas)

Question 3

What are the social causes of rural-urban migration?

Answer 3

• young ppl often feel isolating in R areas
• more diverse, culturally rich lifestyle in U areas
• better public services (e.g. healthcare, education, water + sanitation, transport, housing) in U areas bc of inc investments

Question 4

What are the impacts of rural-urban migration on the destination area?

Answer 4

• larger workforce, contributing to eco + improving productivity
• more ppl moving for education, so more educated ppl for high skilled jobs (brain gain)
• overpopulation: pressure on services (e.g. healthcare + housing)
• inc waste + consumption lvls: envi degradation (e.g. air pollution bc of congestion from more vehicles)
• squatter settlements may form
• younger pop structure as many ppl aged 20-35 move to U areas

Question 5

What are the impacts of rural-urban migration on the source area?

Answer 5

• less pressure on services: better healthcare, lower house prices + less crime
• underpop. may occur: shortage of workers so less money contributed to eco (e.g. may inc pressure on services)
• unemployment as underpop. + lack of investment = less jobs
• skilled + educated workers leave for better eco opps (brain drain)
• older pop structure, as eco active ppl more likely to migrate